Poached Sockeye Salmon with Mustard Herb Sauce

We adopted contributing editor Jon Rowley's technique for poaching salmon in water salted like the sea. This method imparts a touch of brine and enables the other seasonings to permeate the fish. Cut into very thick steaks instead of left whole, the fish is easier to handle and doesn't require a poacher. The creamy sauce makes for a sophisticated finish.

Preparation

Make fish:
Working from head end to tail end, cut fish crosswise into 3-inch sections (very thick steaks; about 4), tapping back of knife with a mallet when you reach center bone to help cut through it. Discard tail if there is no flesh attached. Otherwise, set aside with steaks to cook.

Bring 8 quarts water to a boil with onion, bay leaves, peppercorns, and allspice in pot, then stir in salt. Add salmon and cover pot with lid, then turn off heat. Let stand, undisturbed, until fish just separates from bones, about 18 minutes. Transfer salmon to a shallow pan with a slotted spoon and let stand just until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Fish should be neither too warm (it may break) or too cool (it will start to congeal, making it more difficult to remove bones cleanly) when handled.

With your hands, carefully remove flesh from each steak in pieces as large as possible, discarding skin and bones and arranging salmon on a platter.

Make Sauce while fish stands:
Stir together all sauce ingredients.

Serve salmon at room temperature with sauce on the side.

Cooks' notes:
Salmon is best freshly poached but can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Sauce keeps, covered and chilled, 1 day.